Moschino to headline OCEAN Style

Pulling a veritable fashion coup, OCEAN Style has booked Moschino for this weekend's seventh staging of the OCEAN Style FashionShowcase in Montego Bay.

Featuring some of the biggest names in the international industry and some of the most sought-after designers of Caribbean origin, the show will allow many to experience a fashion show with an atelier of such prominence for the very first time.

Headlining design house, Moschino, has an esteemed place in the local vernacular, thanks to publications such as Vogue and Elle. Now, thanks to OCEAN Style's, editor-in-chief Douglas Gordon, Moschino will be gracing the catwalk on the Rock for the first time.

"We are committed to closing the gap between the Caribbean's burgeoning fashion industry and the more recognised ones across the world. The industry in the region is developing in remarkable and sometimes unexpected ways, and we want to be sure that what we do during the OCEAN Style FashionShowcase Weekend complements and supports it," Gordon told Outlook.

FOUR KEY ELEMENTS

To satiate the appetite of its core supporters, this year's event has incorporated fashion into four key elements of the weekend. These are RIP the STRIP - a fashion-forward street party that fuses runway and entertainment, with more than 12 local and international designers on the catwalk. An all-white fashion show at the weekend's all-white soirée Eyes Wide Shut; the OCEAN Style Fashion Award Dinner for this year's honoree - Freddie Leiba, and the piece de resistance at Saturday night's FashionShowcase.

On Friday night, Angel Sanchez of the eponymous named design house, will add a dramatic edge to the all-white fashion show. Initially trained as an architect, he has become one of the foremost names in bridal couture and evening wear, and his gowns can be seen on celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Giselle Bundchen, Beyoncé, and Eva Longoria.

Not merely a collection of trends, the OCEAN Style FashionShowcase Weekend has become a go-to reference for the fashion-forward on the island. Lisa McIntosh, designer of the Jamaican house Neahlis who will share Friday night's stage with Sanchez, said, "It is an honour to be placed on a platform with an internationally acclaimed designer." She added that "the week's activities will provide an opportunity for local designers to show their abilities to an international audience. My participation in last year's event allowed me to connect with Vivica Fox and to strengthen my relationship with her. Out of that experience, she has purchased and been featured in my designs."

Another designer of Jamaica origin whose work will grace the runway is Raxann Chin. The Montegonian has now become a recognised member of the international fashion community. With her conceptual designs inspired by elements of a bygone era, she has acquired a growing base of raving fans among Hollywood's elite. In fact, Raxann's pieces have made it to the red carpet at the 2014 Oscars and the red carpet at the 67th staging of the Festival de Cannes. Later this month, she will return to Montego Bay to unveil her House of Femheka gowns.

HYBRID FLAVOUR

Trinidad-born Anya Ayoung-Chee has achieved several firsts in three short years and brings a hybrid flavour to RIP the STRIP through her cANYAval that makes its Jamaican debut. Ayoung-Chee, who we met as the audacious Caribbean designer initiate on the reality hit, Project Runway, has achieved a level of experience and success that many long-standing designers have yet to. She now has her own label and her own following, and is sharing her expertise with younger Caribbean designers.

For the second year, Ashley Martin's Attitude with Ashley will also be shown on the catwalk along with designs from both Mission Catwalk judge, Carlton Brown, and New York-based designer, Carlton Jones.

This year's OCEAN Style is all about aspiration and inspiration for fashion devotees and bon vivants. Staying true to the roots of its event; the enterprise is still finding great ways to celebrate the region's fashion industry while creating an event worthy of international attention.